Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral hints at Mateo Musacchio exit

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral has hinted that Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a £17m deal for 23-year-old Mateo Musacchio.

Villarreal have accepted that Musacchio will be leaving El Madrigal, with Golazo Argentino reporting that a £17m transfer is imminent after a deal between the two clubs and the player was agreed.

Marcelino told reporters that the terms of the transfer had been reached and that Villarreal are now faced with the task of replacing their Argentine defender.

"It's a situation with three parties: the player, the buyer and the club in the middle and, as I have said many times, if the club sell an important player it's because the right conditions to do so have been met," the Villarreal boss is quoted as saying.

"Things will change quite a lot [for this team]. The quality and level of [Musacchio] will make it difficult to find a replacement. It won't be easy but the solution, for better or worse, will be found soon."

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a keen admirer of Musacchio after his impressive form in La Liga since leaving River Plate for Villarreal in 2009.